Apple Watch Ultra: The best Apple Watch I don’t need [Video]

I’ve been an Apple Watch Ultra user since it was released in September 2022. Over the years, I’ve owned the regular Ultra and currently own the Ultra 2 in Black Titanium, and I’ve worn it almost every day. I wanted an Ultra for the little things: a better battery, a bigger display, and better materials. I wanted to see what Apple could do with their “best” Apple Watch. After using it for almost four years, I can confidently say that this is the best Apple Watch Apple has ever made, but it’s also the Apple Watch I don’t need. Let me explain.

Be sure to check out our in-depth hands-on video with the Apple Watch Ultra and see what we think.

So what makes the Apple Watch Ultra actually different from the rest of the Apple Watch Series? Apple Watch Ultra should be the most premium version of the entire experience from software to hardware. There are a few key differentiators.

• Big and bright display
• Titanium case that feels strong and durable
• More physical controls, like the Action button
• Better battery life than the standard Apple Watch
• All Ultras have built-in data connectivity
• A design aimed at people who want something more “adventure-ready”

Everything else is exactly the same, including the interior. Both Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch Series 11 use the same S10 SiP (system-in-package) chip. So if you think the Ultra offers better smoothness and performance than the 11 series, it actually doesn’t. This is a common misconception among customers. So you get more battery and rugged construction materials.

But now I want to talk about how I use my Apple Watch Ultra.

Apple is marketing this watch to extreme sports and athletes. You see ads and videos of hikers, divers, and climbers in extreme areas. But it also does all the everyday things very well. There are a few key use cases that I use the Ultra for almost every day.

All the fitness and wellness tracking features are great. Workout tracking is still the #1 reason I keep it on my wrist. I use it for workouts, movement purposes, and to keep myself consistent. It almost feels like exercise wouldn’t count if I wasn’t wearing the Apple Watch. The same goes for new sleep and important tracking. I wear my watch to bed every night to see what points I get. It’s good to see the trend data, especially as a recent father of 2, lack of sleep affects sleep output. And recently, an important app detected that I was getting the Flu a few days early notifying me that all of my essentials were gone.

I also use the features of the Apple Watch ecosystem. There are things like using the Watch as a viewfinder for your iPhone camera. You can also use your Apple Watch as a biometric unlocking method instead of Touch ID and Face ID. Something as simple as an alarm clock, wakes you up nicely with a slowly increasing vibration that grows stronger. Amazing feature!

All of these use cases add up to a great device.

Apple Watch Ultra problem

But when I used my Apple Watch Ultra, that’s when I realized that I don’t need any of its features. All of the use cases I mentioned above are things that any regular Apple Watch Series 11 can do. All the extreme features of the Apple Watch Ultra are untouched. I don’t use the deep sea features, I don’t use the GPS features for wayfinding while hiking, I never use the SOS feature, and if I need to, I always have my phone. So, at this point, I realized that the only “feature” I use is the extended battery life of the Apple Watch Ultra.

While I like the look and rugged construction of the Apple Watch Ultra, I don’t need it. So my next Apple Watch will be the Series 11 or Series 12 (if that’s released), because it can do everything I need.

The last take

To wrap up my long-term thoughts on the Apple Watch Ultra, my experience has been truly positive. It’s reliable, the battery life is still great, and it handles everything I want in an Apple Watch. Fitness tracking, health features, sleep tracking, and all the little things in the Apple ecosystem that make everyday life easier. But at the same time, I learned something important: For most people, the extra features of the Ultra don’t justify paying nearly double the price.

That said, right now the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will cost $549 new on Amazon, and at that price, we can have a completely different conversation. You get all the features of the Ultra and cellular for only about $30 more than the Apple Watch Series 11 with cellular.

So I’m curious. At $549, does the Apple Watch Ultra actually feel worth it to you? Let’s discuss below. 👇

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